FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

Enjoy!

                    

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to the last WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Jana!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [worradmu] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

PAY IT FORWARD

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Searching for love."

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CHASING FIREFLIES

Over the next several weeks, I'm going to be posting some fun facts about my newest book.

To see last week's post, go here.

CHASING FIREFLIES takes place in China.

It is based off of some of my daughter's experiences while she spent a semester there teaching English.

The English in China can be quite humorous. Now don't get me wrong, I am impressed that the Chinese make such a huge effort to learn English. Very impressive. I mean no offense toward anyone trying to learn a second language. I can only speak ONE language and I can't imagine how hard it would be to learn Mandarin or Cantonese. 

I'd get it completely wrong. Every. Time. And I don't doubt they'd be laughing at my attempts.

That being said, sometimes the English used in Asian countries just isn't correct, and it gives me a good giggle.

Like this shirt . . .

When my daughter was in China, the popular shirt to buy was emblazoned with:

YOUR

That's it. 

I want one!! I incorporated the YOUR t-shirt into my novel. I just couldn't resist.

These next pictures are ones my daughter took while in China.

Below is a sign from the Great Wall. 

"Please pay attention to your safety!"is not necessarily wrong, it's just not how Americans would word the sentence.

Again, it always gives me a little giggle.

As for this next one, there are no words . . . 

I just thought this one was interesting.

Hmmmm . . . if you see a one-star . . . run.

Hope these gave you a little giggle.

Kudos to the Chinese people for learning English.

It isn't easy!

Read CHASING FIREFLIES for more fun facts about China!

Of course, in the end, this book is not specifically about China. Above all, it’s a love story.

My sisters think I’m crazy.

But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love.

She told me to search far and wide for him.

I haven’t stopped looking ever since.

When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.

It’s destiny.

My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.

Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp.   Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?

My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.

Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.

The memory silences them.

The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.

I will find Paul . . . I will.

ADD TO GOODREADS

CHASING FIREFLIES will be released on July 1st, 2016.

It will be available for pre-order in May on Amazon.

To see the next Fun Facts post, go HERE.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

Enjoy!

I thought this image was rather thought provoking.

What would you rather do? Watch TV or read a book?

  

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to the last WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Rita!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

YOU ARE THE ONE IN MY HEART

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [worradmu] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Give and take."

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CHASING FIREFLIES

Over the next several weeks, I'm going to be posting some fun facts about my newest book.

CHASING FIREFLIES takes place in China.

It is based off of some of my daughter's experiences while she spent a semester there teaching English.

Here's an interesting little tidbit about China--one that I incorporated into my novel.

Before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China built somewhere around 50,000  adult playgrounds.

They wanted to boost the nation’s fitness level. 

Wouldn't it be fun to have these "adult playgrounds" in your neighborhood?

I think so!

Of course, in the end, this book is not specifically about China. Above all, it’s a love story.

My sisters think I’m crazy.

But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love.

She told me to search far and wide for him.

I haven’t stopped looking ever since.

When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.

It’s destiny.

My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.

Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp.   Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?

My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.

Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.

The memory silences them.

The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.

I will find Paul . . . I will.

ADD TO GOODREADS

CHASING FIREFLIES will be available for pre-order on Amazon in May 2016 and will be released on July 1st, 2016.

ARCs available soon! If you are interested, please email me at taylordeanbooks(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll add you to the list. (Sorry, Kindle ebook only.)

All I ask in return is for a fair and honest review on Amazon and Goodreads.

The prequel novella is now FREE on Amazon!

Grab your copy! I do suggest that you read it before reading my book--that way everything will make sense to you.

Join me next week for more fun facts about CHASING FIREFLIES! (Every Monday from now until release day!)

To see the next Fun Facts post, go HERE.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

Enjoy!

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED HIM. ALWAYS.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to the last WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Christy!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LOVE MAKES EVERYTHING LOOK BETTER

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "The climb!"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS

I've spent the past week working on my next book,

STONE SILENCE.

I've finally found my groove for this book, and I'm anxious to get going on the next book in the series. (It will be a three part series. No cliff hangers, I promise!) The emotions of the first book carry over to the next book and I'm going to burst if I don't write it soon.

Image courtesy of [David Castillo Dominici] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I heard this slightly controversial song, GIRL CRUSH, this week and I can't stop listening to it because it describes (in part) the emotions that begin the second book in the series. There's a few obvious things I don't like about the song, but there's a whole lot of things I LOVE about the song too.

Listen carefully. It's not what you think it's about at first. I think it's a very cleverly written song.

             

I've also been spending my time with my best little buddy, my grandson. I'm in love!! (Yes, he's a climber. He likes to sit on this ledge and watch me do the dishes. No worries, there's a nice soft chaise lounge on the other side.)

Hope your week was wonderful and that this week will be too!

Back to work for me!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

Enjoy!

  

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to the last WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Rose!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LOVE IS DA BOMB!

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [lekkyjustdoit] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "Eye Love You"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS

The next installment in the Power of the Matchmaker series is now available!

Get your copy on Amazon HERE.

Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Broken hearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she's ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.

My review: 

I LOVED this book. I don't often read Victorian novels. Many years ago, I went through a phase wherein I read every single book Victoria Holt has ever written and I LOVED every single one. This book reminded me that I do indeed LOVE Victorian novels. They're so prim and proper. It's interesting to read about a world where it's scandalous to be alone with a man and if you are with a man, you need a chaperone. The people from that day and age would be shocked by the world today.

I greatly enjoyed this book and realized I really need to read more books from this genre, although I do not doubt that the reason I loved it was due to the expertise of the author in penning a story. This was a refreshing read and the story held me captive from beginning to end. I especially loved the way the story wrapped up with everyone receiving their happy ending. There were times when I couldn't see how it would all end well without bitter feelings, but it did, and beautifully and realistically at that. Very well done.

Exciting news . . .

The POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER prequel novella is currently FREE!

Grab your copy on Amazon HERE.

(Make sure it's still free. It was at the time of writing this post! But I don't know how long the deal will last.)

Each book in the Power of the Matchmaker series is a stand-alone novel with one thing in common--an appearance from the Matchmaker.

Even if you only read one book in the entire series, you should read the prequel novella to learn the story of how the Matchmaker became the Matchmaker. It will help you to understand the character of Miss Pearl. (The Matchmaker)

Enjoy!